by AP with KPCC staff

Share

This image provided by NOAA taken Wednesday Aug. 6, 2014 shows Hurricane Iselle, center, and tropical storm Julio, right. Though it's not clear how damaging the storms could be, many in Hawaii aren't taking any chances as they wait for Hurricane Iselle to make landfall later this week and Tropical Storm Julio potentially hitting a few days later. /AP

As twin hurricanes approach Hawaii, airlines are offering travelers a chance to change their tickets without incurring extra fees.

United, American, Hawaiian and Delta have made the offer to waive fees and, in certain cases, to waive the difference in fares for those forced to book a more expensive flight. If you're scheduled to fly to Hawaii with another company in the next two days, check with your carrier to see whether it's offering a similar deal.

Hurricanes designated Julio and Iselle are nearing the Hawaiian islands this week. The National Hurricane Center is classifying Hurricane Julio as a Category 1 storm, with winds of about 75 mph.

Lixion Avlia of the Miami-based center said Wednesday that the system was swirling about 1,650 miles east of Hilo and is on course to pass north of the Hawaii islands in three to four days. Avlia says it's too early to predict its actual path.

Hurricane Julio is just behind Hurricane Iselle, which could bring heavy rains, high surf and strong winds to Hawaii's Big Island on Thursday.

Other Hawaii islands could also get a lashing from the system, and much of the archipelago is under a tropical storm watch or warning.

Hawaii residents were stocking up on essentials Wednesday ahead of the expected one-two storm punch.